Name: Chrysanthi Zouva

Age: 37

Where do you call home? Athens, Greece

Education (degree(s): My academic journey began with a 4-years bachelor’s degree in Geology and Geoenvironment from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Due to my scientific curiosity, I continued my studies in an MSc and afterward at a Ph.D. level related to Environment and Development, linked to the Spatial Decision Support System at the National and Technical University of Athens. The range of my studies, combined with my expertise and passion will give me the opportunity to move a step forward in the research of FA in my country.

What's a typical day for you? Every morning I start my day with therapeutic swimming or gym or training with my handbike. Later I usually stay at home, cooking or working at my laptop.

How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed at the age of 20, certified by a DNA test, but my first symptoms began at the age of 17, after instability issues.

Are there any others with FA in your family? No, just me...

Hello my name is Sean Sommerville. I started experiencing symptoms of FA in high school while I was pursuing my dream of becoming a professional pilot. It wasn’t until after my freshman year in college that I decided I wanted to get my poor balance looked at by a professional. After a year of being poked and zapped more times than I can remember, I finally got diagnosed with FA.

The diagnosis was one of the hardest things to come to terms with in my life. While that diagnosis took me out of the cockpit, I still earned my commercial pilots license with single engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument ratings, as well as my certified flight instructors certificate all while experiencing symptoms of FA. I hope to one day return to the cockpit when a cure is reached, but in the meantime I will do all that I can to help my fellow FAers, raise awareness and money for this disease, and push my own limits biking, hiking, and facing the physical challenges that FA comes with to prove to myself that it won’t keep me down.

Name: Esteban Luis Grieb

Age: 44 (How time flies :)

Where do you call home? I live in Steyr, Upper Austria/Austria/Europe but I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Education: Well, I graduated at our commercial high school (HAK)

Who do you live with? Enjoy living alone in my accessible flat here.

What's a typical day for you? OK … I’m retired so I have enough time for me and my favourite things to do. Every day I wake up at 7 … Then I meditate, doing my exercises, do physical therapy, watch sports like basketball … Basketball is my love and keeping physically active in general is the most important thing in my life. I’m obsessed with being active.

Thursday 9/24 8-9 PM ET

Join the FARA Ambassadors for a hangout for teenagers, 13-19, with ataxia (of any form). FA Teen Hangouts are hour-long web-based hangouts. This is simply a place to meet and talk to other people who may be going through struggles and good times similar to you. (If you don't have ataxia, you are not allowed to participate in the hangout.)

Our Thursday night hangout this month is a discussion lead by FARA ambassador, Madelyn Fredrick about music. Do you have a favorite group or song? That one who always makes you feel good in any situation? Do you make music, what musical instrument do you play? Music remains an unbeatable (or bad mood beatable [ha, ha]) remedy against stress.

Join us to talk or just listen. We are sure you'll find you aren't alone! It is just a relaxed conversation…the theme gets us going, but we definitely don't stick to it! It isn't counselling.